[System alert: Soultaker is violently trembling.]

[Soultaker is violently trembling.]

[Soultaker is...]

Man, this sword was annoying as hell. As I cut through the robotic monsters that plagued the 21st floor, I couldn't help but feel immense disappointment for the situation. Even though I wanted to use the Soultaker to farm more damage, I didn't want to deal with its seemingly snarky and rebellious attitude towards me.

[Player, it seems like it stopped.]

I blinked at Sephera's message. She was right, the notifications had stopped spamming me.

[System alert: Soultaker seems to shake slightly.]

Was it pouting? Can inanimate objects even do that?

With a grimace, I swapped out my Silver Serpent and pulled out the Soultaker.

"Finally! It was getting stuffy in there," the sword muttered, humming gently within my hands. Its voice was an even, neutral tone, almost ethereal. "Do you know how dark it is in your Inventory?"

"Zip it. I took you out because it seems like you calmed down," I snapped, rolling my eyes. "Just let me focus on killing these things." I pointed my Soultaker at the robotic monster in front of me.

"You're not my Master." The Soultaker sounded almost petulant, making me want to roll my eyes. I ignored it, focusing on the robotic monster before me. With a mighty swing, I cleaved the creature in two, its metal body tumbling to the ground with a deafening clatter.

[Soultaker damage: +1]

The sword shivered a bit in my hands. Hey, whoa, what the fuck?

"Did that... what the fuck was that?" I looked at the sword.

"There are more monsters coming. Reap them quickly." The Soultaker replied, as if nothing happened.

"We'll get to that. Right now, I'm wondering why you reacted to the monster I killed just now." I gripped the Soultaker tighter.

"I don't know what you're talking about, dumbass," the Soultaker said, though there was a hint of nervousness in its voice. "I'm just a sword. All I do is inflict pain."

[NO WAY. NO EFFING WAY LOLOLOLOL]

My mind turned off for a moment, trying to process the blade's words.

"Hey. By any chance, do you enjoy doing that?" I quietly asked my sword.

"Doing what?" the Soultaker replied, sounding innocent. "Absorbing souls and damage for your benefit? Not particularly, seeing as you aren't my Master."

"That's not what I meant. I'm asking if you enjoy inflicting pain."

The Soultaker stilled, as if embarrassed. "It's not that I enjoy it per se, but it is...satisfying. To see them suffer, to feel their essence being absorbed into my blade...it's a rush. Like being alive, you know?"

[HAHARKAJLSD I CAN'T. THIS IS ACTUALLY PERFECT XDDD]

Ignoring Sephera's messages, I dashed forward, desperately seeking out more monsters. Or even the portal to the next floor. I refused to believe that my once imposing and powerful sword turned out to be a sadist.

"I can't believe this," I grumbled, wiping sweat from my brow. "How'd you even become sentient, anyway?"

"Hey, I didn't expect to wake up with a scrawny mortal like you, so we're in the same boat," the Soultaker replied, a hint of mischief in its tone. "I was dormant for so long until you donned the cloak my Master once wore."

"This cloak?" I glanced at the blue garment I was wearing. "That old lady gave it to me. Said it was supposed to be very useful instead of potions."

"What old lady? The only person I knew who had possession of this cloak was my Master."

"That's what I'm gonna figure out," I grimaced, seeing the portal in sight. "I'm so lost on what's happening to and around me."

The Soultaker stilled for a moment, as if thinking. "I'll help you out if you let me. Besides, the more we fight together, the more I'll grow. It's a win-win situation."

I slowed my pace, glancing at the sword. "Let you help me? How? I thought you didn't claim me as your master."

"True, but you're wearing his cloak, and for some reason, your strength is reminiscent of his power. I don't know who you are to be a cheap clone of his, but you'll do."

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, confused and slightly irritated. "Am I some sort of reincarnation of your original Master?"

"No, dumbass," the Soultaker snapped back. "I don't sense that from you at all. Your existence does seem to take an influence from him though. Almost like he taught you himself."

"Okay, who is this 'Master' of yours?" I frowned, trying to piece together the information. "And why does my existence remind you of him?"

"Gods, I forgot how ignorant mortals can be," the blade muttered. "My Master is *******."

A weird static noise entered my ears right as the Soultaker supposedly named its master. I winced, rubbing my head. "Say that again?"

"Are you deaf? It's *******."

There it was again. It couldn't have been a coincidence.

[Did you catch that, Player? I wasn't able to hear it.]

"Wait, you didn't either?" I sharply inhaled at Sephera's message. If even an Admin was unable to discern what the Soultaker said, then it was probably something more powerful than them.

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"Huh? You can't hear the name of my Master?" the sword seemed to shake with curiosity. "That's strange. It's almost as if he's...no, it couldn't be. He would've told me if he was going to disappear..."

"What?" I pressed. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing," the Soultaker muttered, sounding suspiciously evasive. "It's just that..."

I shook the sword slightly. "Spit it out, man! I am not going to be left in the dark."

"Okay, okay!" the Soultaker finally relented. "My Master's name is usually able to be heard or read, but if he chooses it, he can mask it from others."

"What do you mean, 'if he chooses'?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. "You saying he doesn't want me to know who he is?"

"No, not exactly," the Soultaker said, sounding hesitant. "It's just...my Master has a habit of hiding his presence from those he deems unworthy. You know, like a game or something. If he wants you to hear his name, you'll hear it."

"Damn. So I'm not worthy to know who he is right now. Then what do I have to do?"

"You don't have to do anything," the Soultaker seemed annoyed. "My Master doesn't work that way. He'll reveal himself to you when he feels like it. Just keep doing what you're doing, and maybe one day, you'll earn his attention."

"Your Master sounds like a real pain," I grumbled.

"Don't you dare speak about my Master that way!" the Soultaker snapped, the handle vibrating in anger. "He's the most powerful being in existence, and he could end you with a single thought! He doesn't owe you anything, mortal!"

"I don't want him to owe me anything," I made a face as I reached the portal to the 22nd floor. "I just want answers. Whether or not it comes from your master or someone else, I don't care. Besides, it sounds like he's not really here right now, is he?"

"Hey!" the Soultaker protested. "My Master is always here! He's just...taking a break or something. Don't go thinking he's abandoning me!"

"You're in my possession right now."

"That's..." the Soultaker trailed off, apparently thinking better of what it was about to say. "Look, just keep using me, and maybe one day, my Master will see that you're not so bad. He'll reveal himself to you then."

I considered this for a moment. "You'll recognize me as your temporary master then? Just until he comes back."

"Huh?" The sword seemed confused and possibly a bit hurt. "You don't want to keep me?"

"Dude, you were griping about how I'm not your master. It's a little unfortunate to give up such a good weapon like you, but the way you keep going on about him makes me feel a little bad to keep you."

"Oh." The Soultaker paused, seemingly taken aback. "I see... Well, if you insist, you can keep using me. Just promise me that you'll take care of me, and don't let anyone else use me without my permission."

"Fine by me. You're Bound, so I don't see that happening anytime soon."

[Waa, enemies to lovers~]

"Who is that?" the Soultaker cried out indignantly. "This is nothing of the sort! It is simply a mutual agreement!"

[:0 You're aware of my presence?]

"Yeah, dumbass. Being Bound to this mortal means I can share his senses. How else would I be able to absorb damage for him?"

[Player, this sword is rude. Ditch it. :D]

"Don't you dare, mortal! We've made an agreement already!"

I sighed, glancing back from Sephera's messages to the Soultaker. I could tell I wasn't going to have any peace of mind about this.

----------------------------------------

Entering the 22nd floor, it was relatively the same layout, with robotic monsters set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. I gripped the Soultaker tightly, slashing through the mobs with ease as I farmed more damage for the blade.

"Hahaha, yes! Tremble before my might!" the sword crowed as it whistled through the air.

"Stop making this weird!" I snapped, wincing as another of the robotic monsters lunged at me. "Just stay quiet if you're gonna keep saying shit like that."

It was bad enough that I couldn't gain any experience or rewards at this level, but it was worse when the only thing I could do to achieve some progression was to use the talking Soultaker. I really didn't want to indulge in whatever quirk the sword had, so I decided to change the subject.

"Hey, what kind of person was your master?" I asked as I cut down another cyborg.

"He was... a being of great power. As the one who was the personification of death, he guided those whose time had come over to the other side. He was benevolent, and tolerated my... nature," the Soultaker quietly replied, like it was wistful recalling its memories. "I honestly never thought he would- that he could vanish from the world without a trace."

I raised an eyebrow, admiring the sword's reverence for its master. "You really care a lot for him, don't you?"

"Yes... Yes, I do." The Soultaker seemed lost in thought for a moment, before continuing, "He was the one who found me, you see. I was nothing but a mere fragment of a greater weapon, abandoned by the smith who had created me. He took me in, reforged me into the weapon you see now, and gave me purpose. I swore to serve him, to protect him, and to be at his side for all eternity."

As I cut down the last of the monsters, gears began to turn in my head. I slowly came to a conclusion upon reaching the 23rd floor portal.

"Hey... your Master wouldn't happen to be the god Thanatos, would it?"

"Huh? If it was, you wouldn't be able to say his name, dumbass," the Soultaker retorted, causing me to grit my teeth with annoyance. "How'd you even come up with that idea?"

"First of all, my name is Luquier, so don't address me by 'dumbass' or 'mortal'. Second, it's because you evolved from the 'Hand of Thanatos', so I thought it was something along the lines of that."

"Thanatos?" The blade scoffed. "That's who I am."

I sighed, shaking my head. "Well, you don't exactly sound like him. He was supposed to be this tall, dark, and broody guy with a mysterious aura about him. He had this deep, resonant voice, and was always dressed in flowing robes. Or so mythology goes."

"Idiot. I'm a fragment of Thanatos. Of course I wouldn't be anything like the myths. Do you not know how gods have been integrated into these Matches?"

"Huh? You know the nature of this world?" I glanced at my sword.

"Did your Admin or whatever not explain this to you? Gods, what an incompetent duo."

[Player, I can see if there's a way to reroll your weapon. I'll make sure it's legendary :D]

I stopped in front of the portal and thrust the Soultaker into the ground, causing it to yelp.

"Hey, what was that for?" the Soultaker demanded, its voice shaky as it trembled in the ground.

"To set some boundaries. I'm your owner now, and I would like for you to aid me completely. In return, I'll perform well enough to be acknowledged by your master and give you back to him." I folded my arms as Sephera sent a supportive message. "So, I want you to explain yourself, no complaints."

"...Fine. It's supposed to be your Admin's job, but whatever," the Soultaker grumbled. "The gods of mythology as well as every aspect of historical fiction you know actually exists. It might be hard to believe–"

"It's not. I've died a lot, so I'm having an easier time believing outrageous things." I omitted the part where something similar was also present in the original game.

"...Right. Anyway, when the Matches began, the gods were the original participants. Somehow, they were deceived and became reduced to the playthings of mortals. There were a few omnipotent beings that escaped this sentence, but were barred from directly interfering with the Matches."

"Then–"

"Shut up, I'm not finished," the sword shook in the ground. "No one knows how or why the Matches came to be. And honestly, it wasn't supposed to involve mortals. But since the gods became integrated within the Matches, there needed to be participants and moderators."

"Players and Admins."

"I'll let that slide since that's the first correct guess you've made," the Soultaker seemed pleased. "Technicalities and small details aside, that's how I, a partial divine fragment of a former god, became personified through a weapon for mortals to use."

"So, you're like a weapon with a soul?"

"And we're back to stupidity. I can't blame you, though, since it's more nuanced than that. While you're not far off, it's more like you've weaponized my soul. The best way I can put it is if you used another mortal as your weapon, albeit restructuring their body."

"That's... morbid," I muttered, grabbing the hilt of the sword and pulling it back out. "But it explains a lot."

[Can verify. Sadist sword is correct.]

"Now that you know more about this world, I expect you to be on top of your game," it finished, glowing with a blue light. "Feed me more souls so that I may see my Master once again."

"Never say stuff like that again, or I'll stuff you in my Inventory."

"Another century in darkness? Do you think that scares me, idiot?"

"I'll waste all of the accumulated damage you have by purposefully getting hit."

The Soultaker went quiet as I stepped through the 23rd portal.